By John Tucker
The field at the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, was the setting for WESTMARC’s 24th annual Best of the West Awards, and in fitting fashion, the winners were invited on stage to receive their awards amidst heart-pounding music, swirling lights and multiple machines blasting out fog, much like you’d see at an NFL game.
“It was like we had just scored a touchdown,” said Sun Health at Home membership counselor Joshua Freegard, speaking of the program being presented with the Excellence in Innovation award at the ceremony held in November. 
Joshua was joined on stage by his teammates, Nicole Holtsclaw, special events coordinator; Jennifer Keiser, wellness coordinator; and Jennifer Drago, executive vice president.
Speaking for the team, Jennifer Drago thanked the selection committee and Sun Health leadership for its support of the first “continuing care at home” program in the entire Southwest.
“Sun Health at Home is filling an unmet need,” she said. “We are really excited to help seniors in the West Valley age in place in their homes.”
This year’s Best of the West Awards drew more than 400 business and community leaders and elected officials from across the Valley to celebrate excellence in economic development, quality of life and innovation in the West Valley.
The program launched in January 2016 and already has 24 members, with several more applicants going through the process.
The Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs that have demonstrated an innovative concept to accomplish one or more of the following:
- Fulfill a need for West Valley residents.
- Preserve the West Valley’s assets or resources.
- Create an economic benefit for the West Valley.
WESTMARC—the Western Maricopa Coalition—is a public-private partnership of the 15 communities, the business community and the educational sector in the West Valley. The WESTMARC annual Best of the West awards competition began in 1993 as a way to recognize outstanding contributions to the image, lifestyle and economic development of the West Valley – the portion of Maricopa County west of Interstate 17.
